UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says future aid to the Palestinian Authority will depend on its willingness to renounce violence and recognize Israel.

Annan laid out the conditions for aid on behalf of the so-called "Quartet" of Mideast mediators – the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia.

Its representatives met in London on Monday to discuss the militant group Hamas's majority victory in the Palestinian parliamentary election on Jan. 25.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan after a meeting in The Hague, Monday, Jan. 30. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

"All members of the future Palestinian government must be committed to non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the roadmap," said a statement from the group that Annan read after the meeting.

EU members alone donated the equivalent of nearly $700 million Cdn to the Palestinians in 2005, while the United States also provides hundreds of millions in aid every year.

But European nations and the United States have said they won't send money to a Hamas-led government as long as the group is sworn to the destruction of Israel and promotes violence against the Jewish state.

A boy holds a toy gun and Hamas flag during a rally celebrating results of the Palestinian parliamentary election in Ramallah. West Bank, Monday, Jan. 30. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)

The military wing of Hamas has carried out about 60 attacks against Israeli targets since the beginning of the second Palestinian uprising in 2000.

The Quartet said on Monday that any new Palestinian government must also accept "previous agreements and obligations," including the U.S.-backed "roadmap" peace plan.

"Once these conditions are fulfilled, the European Union will stand ready to continue to support the Palestinian economic development and democratic state building," said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Political analysts said the Quartet chose its language carefully and avoided making any threats to immediately cut off aid unless Hamas makes the changes.

Hamas, Abbas urge donors not to cut off funding

Earlier in the day, both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leaders issued appeals to the international community, asking them not to cut off the aid money.

Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, said the Palestinian people need the help and indicated the group wants to discuss the aid with Western powers.

"We in Hamas are ready to meet and have an open dialogue" with the Quartet, he told a news conference in Gaza City. "We assure you that all the money will be spent under your supervision."

Cutting off the money could create a crisis quickly if the administration doesn't have the cash to meet the payroll of security forces and civil servants.

Hamas's leader, Mahmoud Zahar, told CNN that Arab countries would help if the Western aid were to dry up.

However, Saudi Arabia issued a statement on Monday suggesting that Hamas should moderate its stance towards Israel. It also urged the international community to "respect the will of the Palestinian people."

Poll suggests Palestinians want Hamas to become more moderate

A new opinion poll published by a West Bank think-tank suggests a majority of Palestinians would like to see Hamas evolve into a more moderate organization. Almost 75 per cent of those surveyed said they would prefer that Hamas change its position on the destruction of Israel.

The turnover of power from Fatah to Hamas is also creating tension in the Palestinian community. Some Fatah field commanders have said they would not co-operate with Hamas, and armed men from the two organizations have clashed.

Those tensions could be exacerbated by the financial crisis.

Israel has also threatened to stop turning over money it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority once Hamas takes over. Israel collects an average of $54 million US at ports and border crossings, and turns it over every month.